ITV to show F1 practice on its website

Commercial broadcaster ITV is to add a further tier to its coverage of Formula 1 by making races, practice sessions and press conferences available live, online.

The broadcaster has signed an exclusive one-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management.

Under the deal, which begins with coverage of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, F1 races will be made available to view via ITV.com/F1 and be cross-promoted across the website and during the broadcaster's TV coverage. Each Grand Prix will be available to view for 30 days on ITV.com's catch-up TV service after the race has finished.

Mark Sharman, ITV Director of News and Sport, said: “We know from listening to our viewers that there is great demand from motor sport fans to watch F1 practice sessions and press conferences".

It is the first time that Friday practice sessions have been shown on television.